Questions on setting up a zoa frag tank

[Whoyah]

Some time in the hopefully not so distant future I would like set up a stand alone frag tank for propagating zoas and rics. What filteration whould everyone recommend? Seems like a fuge would be over kill. Maybe just a HOB skimmer and good size water changes? Any pointers would be appreciated.

[tigersax7]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#not realy... the fuge helps to remove excess nutrents and maintain pristine water conditions ideal for coral propigation (sp). after all the corals have to eat to grow fast and with so much food in the water a fuge wouldent be a bad idea. I have plans to use the excess space in a fuge fro my main tank as a frag prop area. you might just consider adding a larger fuge to your main tank then add a egg crate rack in the back of it to hold your frags. That way your main tank gets the bennifit of a larger fuge and you have your frag space with out having to add a whole new system... just a small up grade to your exsisting one. Any way these are my thougts on the matter hope this helps.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#tigersax7#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[jerryc]

I have a Friend that has one a 15 gallon with just a power head and a 175 watt
MH over it he uses water from his tank to do a Small change 2 times
each week. works Farlee good for him

[dakar]

Whoyah, we're doing the same thing with a 55g long mostly to grow out zoanthid frags and such, the stand is only 16" high (makes working in the tank without a step ladder simpler), so it will be sumpless too. 100% tempered glass, so no drilling allowed.

Something to chew on;
To the real point, a refuge adds so much to the filtration it's hard not to have one at all, why not build (or purchase if you HAVE to) a simple HOB type refuge? My intention is to build something pretty narrow, but 15-16 deep so I can add a DSB and lots of chaeto to it, gravity feed with a standpipe U-tube and either a MJ600 or 1200 output back to the tank, depending on how much flow It will tolerate. And of course a hang on skimmer.

IMO both will be needed for any nutrient uptake and to compat algae growth. I'm going pretty on the high side for lighting @ 500w MH so algae is a big concern.

I'll get some drawing and pics to post as this project onfolds a bit more. I saw some of the HOB fuges selling for close to $200, they are out of their minds! Less than half a sheet of 1/4" acrylic and a couple hours. I saw one a fella had made that he litterally duplicated the innards of a prizm pro skimmer into it and now has a built in skimmer! Very simple indeed.

[graphixx]

it alll depends on the size of the tank your going to use for growing. I have 2 20 gallon tanks thay I use for propogation and neither of them have a sump or a skimmer. with something that small and with no fish in it your not really dealing with a lot of waste. I do 50% water changes every friday and that is it. I have zoo's that are growing a polyp a week. I run 10,000 MH with 2X65 VHO on each tank and the growth is amazing. I have ricordia yuma and florida that grow almost to the point its a nuisance. they are popping up everywhere. Now in Dakars case he has a much larger tank so he probably needs a skimmer and sump. I dose marine snow once a week and that is it. I spot feed the corals that need it and that is it. I have about 10 snails in each tank with a couple of hermits and one peppermint in each tank to combat aptasia.

[Whoyah]

Graphixx, I like your style. What you have going is just about what I was thinking. I have 30 sitting empty that I was going to use. Thanks for the pointer.

why not build (or purchase if you HAVE to) a simple HOB type refuge?

If it turns I need a fuge, I think I do have a couple old HOB filters that could be converted into fuges.

Thanks guys. Now if I can just find the time and money, I will be set.

[graphixx]

exactly the 30 would work awesome. I almost went with a thirty, I found some 20 gallon longs and they are longer than higher which means you get better penetration from the light from the lack of depth. I will try and get some pics posted of my grow tanks. I use 2 small powerheads with a simple block sponge for a filter. I rinse out the filters every morning. and the water stays crystal clear.

[lReef lKeeper]

greg, i would like to see your set-up,you have pics of it??i want to get some ideas cuz i have a 29g just sittin in my room beggin for me to make it my frag farm.

[davejnz]

You shouldn't have alot of nutrient import into the system anyways.A simple setup like Greg describes should work good.If you plan on growing your typical Zoanthus spp. then they need light more than food.What's your plan for lighting?